REVIEW: Pride

2022015

Perhaps the most tragic dissonance in film occurs when ideology and filmmaking prowess fail to match. Say what you will about the frightening Nazi propaganda of Leni Riefenstahl’s “The Triumph of the Will,” but the picture is undeniably well-made. More recently, “The Homesman” and “Big Eyes” offered appealing feminist viewpoints, yet both were rather tediously assembled.

Matthew Warchus’ film “Pride” details the unlikely coalition between British miners and LGBT activists to protest the destructive policies of the Thatcher administration. These are good people fighting for what they think is right, so the natural reaction would be wanting to support them. But, overall, the film fails to capture the swelling spirit of a fellow progressively minded film like Gus Van Sant’s “Milk.”

It is not a particularly enlightening look at the nature of successful activism. It lack insight into discrimination and homophobia on both the institutional and the individual level. It does not provide any strong emotional pull towards a character (though the story of closeted Joe embracing his identity has some touching moments). Although, I will say, seeing Imelda Staunton (best known as Dolores Umbridge from “Harry Potter”) breaking it down at a gay club was quite a sight.